The morning air chilled him, rattling him to his bones. The sun, barely peaking over the mountainside, greeted the land anew, blanketing the snowy mountains in a golden luster. "Almost like the ale I am going to have to drink after this," the lone soldier remarked as he trudged through the snowy banks.
The seeker's words echoed back into his consciousness, "She stepped out of the fade. They say Andraste was behind her…" The usually solemn face of the seeker contorted into one of confusion, something that would have made the commander burst into a fit of laughter had the situation been different.
Cullen thought back to his time with the templars, letting his fingers roam his pocket where the coin was.
"For good luck!"
His memories constantly haunted him, reminding him of the time before a lyrium leash was wrapped tightly around his neck.
Demons and entities spewed out of the spiraling, green hole in the sky. The sound strongly resembled the wails of a thousand dying people. Once the plan to clear a route for someone they're referring to as 'The Herald of Andraste' woman was announced, he loudly sighed.
More lost lives lost… More devastation for families…
He couldn't help but feel anger towards this shadow of a person, even if she didn't cause this entire mess. He simply wanted to blame something or someone, to give meaning to this entire mess.
Cullen charges his forces through the valley, slashing at all that stands in their way, praying to the Maker for some sign that this was all worth it. Off in the distance, he spots Cassandra and her team, slowly making their way over the hill. Although he was surrounded by all this death, he couldn't help but feel triumphant that the seeker and her team have overcome the odds. He felt a sudden burst of energy as he ran up to them, only to stop in his tracks, stunned. A figure stood before a rift, thrusting her glowing hand towards it. Her determined face was paired with a fierce smile. Hair, black as coal, whipped around her, tendrils snaking around wildly. She was graceful, even in a situation like this. She was utterly beautiful. Clenching her hand tightly into a fist, she called upon whatever powers that be, and closed the rift.
Shaking himself from his boyish stupor, he finally spoke to the already ensuing conversation. "Lady Cassandra, you managed to close the rift? Well done."
Oh my god, I am an idiot. I clearly just watched the woman close the rift. Dammit, Rutherford. You're an idiot sometimes…
Cassandra politely passed the congratulations over to someone she referred to as 'the prisoner'.
Oh shit. Now I do have to look at her…
As the blush crept over his face, he looked up with the sudden realization that the woman was staring directly at him, smirking, of all things. Could she read his thoughts? Now that he wasn't staring at her during battle, he was stunned once again. She had waist length hair and olive toned skin. Her eyes were an icy blue, a pair that could stop a man in his tracks… or rather did stop a man…
He reminded himself to speak, and while desperately trying not to stutter, he managed to get out, "Is it… I ho-hope they were right about you. We've lost a lot of people getting you here
The smirk suddenly vanished, and Cullen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Seriousness crept into her tone and eyes, almost making them appear like she was getting ready to cry.
Her voice hung on the air like her words were weights, "I am going to close the Breach… I swear it.. I will not let all of these lives have been lost only for me to fail.."